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Sixers look to maintain playoff positioning

Apr 11, 2009 - 7:05 PM By Kate Hedlin Stats Writer

Philadelphia (40-39) at Toronto (30-49), 6 p.m. EDT

TORONTO (AP) -- The Philadelphia 76ers don't have to worry about missing out on the playoffs. They do, however, have to worry about ending up with the last seed in the Eastern Conference.

The 76ers look to avoid losing a season-high fifth straight Sunday when they visit the Toronto Raptors.

With three games remaining, Philadelphia (40-39) has hardly looked like a team ready to begin the playoffs. The 76ers have dropped four in a row since claiming a postseason spot, including 100-92 to Cleveland on Friday.

They have averaged just 89.0 points during the skid. On Friday, Andre Iguodala scored 26, but Philadelphia never led after the opening quarter. It cut the lead to 76-74 in the fourth before the Cavaliers pulled away to earn the East's top seed.

The Sixers haven't lost five straight since dropping seven in a row Jan. 2-14, 2008. They've had three other four-game losing streaks this season.

"We're disappointed because we thought we had a chance to win this game," coach Tony DiLeo said.

Philadelphia's slide has kept it from overtaking Miami for fifth place in the conference, and it's also put the team in danger of being overtaken by Chicago and Detroit. The Sixers are one game behind the Heat, who host New York on Sunday.

While their offense is struggling, the Sixers believe improving the defense will help them bounce back.

"I think the key is to know our ball pressure," guard Willie Green said. "Teams are getting into the teeth of our defense and kicking out for the easy 3s and we just can't let that happen. To be a good team, it starts on defense. Our whole offense is predicated off our defense."

The 76ers are especially looking to end this losing streak Sunday, as they will close out the regular season against a pair of tough opponents. They host Boston, the conference's second-place team, on Tuesday and visit Cleveland on Wednesday.

DiLeo, however, doesn't mind the imposing schedule.

"We approach these games as playoff games," he said. "We want the mentality of the playoff game, we want the mindset to be a playoff game."

Toronto (30-49) figures to be a much easier opponent for DiLeo and the Sixers. The Raptors have lost four straight, including 100-98 to conference-worst Washington on Friday.

In a battle of the two worst teams in the East, neither led by more than eight. After trailing by six with 47 seconds remaining, Jason Kapono hit back-to-back 3-pointers to tie the game, but the Wizards hit the winning shot at the buzzer.

It was only the second time in 10 games that Toronto was held below 100 points. Chris Bosh finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds while Kapono scored 20 - 15 in the fourth quarter.

"This was a tough one," point guard Jose Calderon said, "but we've got another one Sunday."

After Sunday, Toronto closes the season with road games against Washington and Chicago.

Philadelphia has won two of three against the Raptors this season.